WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin travelled to the Turkish border with Syria to see first-hand how food assistance provided by WFP is helping refugees who fled their homes to escape the conflict there.

During her visit, Cousin also met with children at the camp who are provided with daily meals through WFP’s school meals programmes. Many of the children struggle to cope with their experiences during the conflict. Going to school provides them with a sense of normality while they wait to go home.

Accompanying Cousin on her visit to refugee camps was the Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan. By providing refugee families with money to buy their food on local markets, WFP’s e-voucher scheme is also a boon for the local economy.

“We have a commitment to continue to support Syrian refugees -- whether in Turkey or in the other neighbouring countries -- with some of them in very precarious conditions this winter,” said Cousin in a statement during her visit.